Treasures of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana

Board a direct overnight flight to Cape Town.

Please note: This itinerary is based on a recommended non-stop flight from the U.S. to Cape Town. Should you select a flight itinerary with one or more stops, please be aware that you will need to depart the U.S. a day in advance in order to arrive in Cape Town on Day 2. Dayrooms or overnight accommodations at transit points are not included and should be booked independently.

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport in late afternoon or early evening. You’ll be met by a member of your Smithsonian Journeys travel staff and assisted with transfer to your stunning resort at the foot of Table Mountain. Gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception and enjoy the balance of the evening to relax and settle in. (R)

A full breakfast will be served each morning during your stay. Set out to explore the Cape Peninsula today, traveling the spectacular Marine Drive, which skirts Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles, a string of coastal peaks. Enter Cape Point Nature Reserve and ascend to the lighthouse Cape Point by funicular to marvel at remarkable views of the ocean and the spectacular coast. Enjoy lunch on the Cape Peninsula, and stop at Boulders Beach to see its African penguin colony. Return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

In early evening, you’re invited to attend a presentation on the history and culture of South Africa, exploring the era of Dutch and British colonization, the introduction of slavery, the struggle of the country’s various ethnic groups, the discovery of gold and diamonds, and more. (B,L)

A place of exile and isolation for some 400 years, Robben Island is now a World Heritage site. Travel by boat to the island and visit the former prison where the late Nelson Mandela was held from 1964 to 1982. On a guided tour of the evocative site, listen to fascinating stories about life on the island. After visiting the historic limestone quarry and nearby village, return to Cape Town for lunch on your own on the V&A Waterfront. Later, discover more of Cape Town on a tour of the city’s historical highlights including Company Gardens and the Castle of Good Hope. Then ascend to the top of Table Mountain (weather permitting) for breathtaking views of the dramatically situated city and the beautiful Cape Peninsula. The rest of the day is free of planned activities. (B)

A morning flight brings you from Cape Town to Hoedspruit, gateway to Kapama Nature Reserve. Lunch is served upon arrival at your upscale safari lodge. In the late afternoon, climb into an open-air safari vehicle for an introduction to the Lowveld landscapes of southern Africa and their prolific wildlife. Get acquainted with the ranger and tracker who will accompany you on each game drive, and seek out a wide range of species as the sun begins to set and animals are active. Before dinner, meet in the Smithsonian Journeys Travelers Corner for a conversation about the day’s experiences. Dinner tonight will be served alfresco on the deck. (B,L,D)

Each day on safari starts at dawn with a wakeup call from the lodge ranger. Meet on the deck for early-bird coffee and toast before climbing into your safari vehicle. As you drive along, it may seem quiet, but there is plenty of activity. Many animals are just waking up and in search of breakfast. Others spent the night on the prowl and searching for a cool spot where they can sleep during the day. See how many of the “big five” you can spot this morning—and keep an eye out for myriad bird species as well as elusive creatures such as pangolins and dwarf mongooses. Stop for coffee or tea along the way, and return to the lodge for a hearty English breakfast. The rest of the morning is yours to relax and take advantage of the lodge amenities.

This afternoon, attend a presentation by a local naturalist. Then head out on a late afternoon drive to gain a different perspective of the animal life in the reserve. As the sun sets, stop for a round of drinks, aptly called “sundowners.” Return to the lodge for a sumptuous dinner under the stars. (B,L,D)

Enjoy another day of wildlife viewing with early morning and late afternoon safaris. Each game drive is a unique experience forged by the time of day, the weather, and the locale. Your tracker and ranger are experts in finding animals on the reserve. They know the thickets where giraffes nibble at the treetops, the open veld where zebras graze, and much more. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a leisurely late morning. Visit the spa, take a dip in the pool, or relax with a book on the sun deck. Lunch is served at the lodge. Later, gather for afternoon tea before your final game drive.

On your afternoon wildlife drive, you may scout out popular watering holes, where four-legged and feathered creatures gather for a drink. In the evening, gather for a festive dinner and share stories and pictures from the sightings you experienced today. (B,L,D)

Drive from Kapama to the airport at Hoedspruit for the short flight to Johannesburg, the third largest city in Africa. Upon arrival, transfer to the historic Soweto township, where lunch will be served. Afterwards, tour the township, viewing the homes of freedom fighters such as Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Drive past the homes of legendary freedom fighters Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, and Desmond Tutu; then continue to Kliptown for a visit to a local youth project. Check in to your hotel in the leafy Rosebank neighborhood and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B,L)

After breakfast, depart the hotel and drive to the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria to board one of the most luxurious trains in the world, bound for Victoria Falls. Enjoy the gracious service and distinctive charm of Rovos Rail’s classic, refurbished wood-paneled coaches as the train heads north toward Zimbabwe. Sit down to lunch in the elegant dining cars and if you wish, join fellow travelers in the midway lounge car or observation car at the rear of the train.

Your route today brings you through Bela-Bela, known as Warmbaths for its mineral water springs, and Nylstroom, thought to be the source of the Nile River by the Voortrekkers, or Boer settlers. Pass the edge of the escarpment where the Highveld drops precipitously. In late afternoon, tea will be served in the lounge and observation cars. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and dinner is served en route to Messina and Beitbridge, where the train will clear Zimbabwe border formalities. (B,L,D)

Take breakfast in the dining cars, and savor a relaxing day on the train. Take in the scenery as the train passes through baobab country, where you’ll see some of the largest and longest-living trees in the world, remarkable for their surreal, bottle-like shape. Continue toward Bulawayo, the second city of Zimbabwe, capital of Matabeleland, and an important center of industry. After dinner, the train will overnight in Mpopoma. (B,L,D)

Travel between Gwaai and Dete on one of the world’s longest runs of straight railroad track, stretching 71 miles.  From Kennedy Siding, venture into Hwange National Park to look for a range of species on a wildlife-viewing excursion. The train will overnight at Thompson’s Junction. (B,L,D)

Arrive in Victoria Falls this morning and disembark the train.  Check in to the celebrated, Edwardian-style Victoria Falls Hotel, established by the British in 1904 to accommodate workers building the Cape to Cairo railroad. You’ll have time for lunch on your own before an afternoon excursion to Victoria Falls.

For centuries, the Zambezi River’s great cascade was called Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “the smoke that thunders,” by the region’s Kololo people. When Dr. David Livingstone came upon the natural wonder on November 16, 1855, he renamed it for England’s queen. Spanning more than a mile, this magnificent curtain of water crashes some 328 feet into the narrow Batoka Gorge. Twice the height of Niagara Falls, mighty Victoria Falls casts a veil of spray that can be seen up to 50 miles away! (B)

After an early English breakfast, set out on a full-day safari to explore Chobe National Park, one of the most famous parks in southern Africa. Be on the lookout for lions, leopards, giraffes, impalas, and baboons. During the drive, you are likely to see several herds of elephants wandering the savanna or stopping at the river for a drink or a bath. With an immense bird population of more than 460 species, Chobe is also a favored destination for birdwatchers.

After lunch, take a leisurely cruise on the Chobe River for a chance to spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and other animals along this life-giving waterway. Later this evening, join fellow Smithsonian Journeys Travelers for a festive farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer by motor coach to the Victoria Falls Airport where the program ends. If you have opted for an air package through FlexAir, fly to Johannesburg to connect with your flights home. Learn more about our FlexAir program on the Tour Details tab. (B) (B)

* Depending on your flight arrangements, you may arrive in the U.S. on Day 15. FlexAir participants will arrive home on Day 14.

Please note: Due to operational considerations, the progression of this itinerary may be changed without prior notice.